Mary, with a light smile on her face, was stunningly gorgeous.
It was the kind of beauty that could make men fall at her feet, and women jealous.
Sofia looked at her face closely.
She thought of her mother, who had passed away.
She realized that Mary now looked very much like her mother back then.
The hatred in her heart was about to break free from its restraints.
“Mary, you’re twenty-three years old and you still don’t have a boyfriend?”
“No, not yet.”
Mary shook her head, pulled her hand away from Sofia’s, and turned to serve her some water.
Sofia stared at her slender back, her slim waist and curves.
To think that she not only came back alive, but has even brought back that wicked child.
She gritted her teeth harder.
Mary came over with a glass of water in her hand.
Sofia said with a smile, “Mary, before I came here, I had specially compiled a list of unmarried young men in Sheares. All of them are excellent in all aspects, including character, education and looks. Let me make arrangements for you to meet them sometime.”
“Well, I’m afraid I’m not the one who can make the call,” Mary said with a faint sense of hesitation.
Sofia was puzzled, “Why?”
Mary sighed, feeling a bit helpless, “My brother won’t agree.”
Sofia laughed in exaggeration, “Max! That man! Why would he meddle with your dating life? He himself is so infatuated with Sandra. Two days ago, Sandra broke her leg during her shoot and stayed here yesterday. Before he carried her back to his room last night, I even reminded him to take it easy on her. But guess what I saw today? Sandra had hickeys all over her neck!”
“I heard Sandra say that Max stayed with her till midnight… Now he’s getting into your business! I’ll talk to him later.”
“Sandra is still not pregnant yet?”
“Well, maybe they were trying to stay in love for a little bit longer, so they take the necessary precautions.”
As she spoke, a cute voice suddenly came from outside the office again.
Then a tiny little child ran in through the door, “Mom, Mom, I’m back.”
Surprise flashed across Jason’s face when he saw Sofia sitting on the couch.
He slowly came to a halt and then examined her for a moment.
It seemed as if he was trying to ascertain if she was Mom’s guest, or here to bully her.
His attempt was inconclusive. His beautiful big eyes looked inquiringly at Mary who was a few meters away.
Sofia looked at Jason. His eyes, his features, and even his temperament were all the same as Max’s when he was a child.
She unconsciously grabbed the straps of her bag and her eyes darkened. Quickly, she covered it with an affectionate smile, “Mary, this is…”
Before Sofia came over, she had seen the photos Sandra had sent her.
But it was still shocking to see the real person.
Before she could fully compose herself, another tall, slim figure appeared at the door.
In was, in a gray shirt and black pants, a picture of sophistication and elegance.
Whenever and wherever he showed up, it was almost impossible to ignore him.
Mary looked over at him, and her gaze met Max’s.
His gaze was so deep that no one could ever escape it.
Sofia saw the two of them looking at each other from afar, and her heart chilled.
She interrupted them, “Max, I thought you were at work. Why are you doing here at this time?”
Mary withdrew her gaze.
Max walked in with a stern expression.
With an air of indifference, he asked her in a calm tone instead, “Mother, why are you here?”
“Uncle, is she your mother?”
Hearing Max call her mom, Jason immediately looked over to him.
“Yes, call her Grandma.”
Max walked over to Jason, bent over, took his hand, and introduced them.
Mary’s expression wavered. But she did not stop them.
She spread her arms open and said to Jason, “My dear grandson, come here, let me give you a hug.”
Max let go of Jason’s hand and encouraged him to go over by glancing in Sofia’s direction.
Mary suddenly called out, “Jason.”
She went over and touched his face and said gently, “Go and find Aunt Priscilla to get cleaned up. See how dirty your little face has become.”
“Really?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Okay, I’ll go find Aunt Priscilla!”
Jason smiled at his mother ran out of the office.
Sofia hadn’t really wanted to hug Jason, and she wasn’t mad at him for running away.
Max’s eyes narrowed as he looked at Mary, and then he asked Sofia, “Mother, what business do you have with Mary?”
“You said that Mary was back, so I thought I’d invite her to live at home. Living on her own is so inconvenient compared to living with us. But you came before I could say anything.”
Max’s eye twitched slightly.
In the morning, Mary had just invited him to live with them.
He would rather move in with Mary and Jason than have them at the Gastons’.
Max pulled his lips into a thin line and spoke in a low voice that disguised his emotions. “Mom, Mary and Jason already have a place to stay.”
“Of course I know they have a place to stay, but it’s more convenient to live with us, right? And I can help take care of Jason while you guys are at work .”
“Thank you, Aunt Sofia. But Jason has to go to school every day, so there is no need for you to take care of him.”
“I see.” Sofia let out a sigh.
She stood up and said, “In that case, I won’t force you. Mary, you have to go to work during the weekdays, but you have time over the weekend, don’t you? You and Jason should come home for dinner this weekend. Max, would you be available?”
“Yes.”
Max looked at Mary.
Mary’s eyes narrowed, and when she looked at Sofia again, she simply smiled and replied, “Okay.”
“It’s decided then. Max, I have something to talk to you about. Let’s go to your office.”
“Mother, could you wait for me in my office? I would like to talk to Mary for a moment.”
Sofia frowned and looked at Mary suspiciously.
In the past, Mary knew what she should say with just one glance from her.
Now, Mary’s expression remained unaffected, nor did she say anything.
Sofia didn’t dare to control Max, so she said, “I’ll wait for you outside. Hurry up with your secret conversation with Mary.”
Max watched Sofia walk out of the office, being going over to shut the door and locking it.
Standing in front of the couch, Mary heard him lock the door. Cautious, her downcast eyes looked up.
Once again, she met his deep, endless gaze.
Her heart skipped a beat against her will.
Max locked eyes with her for a few seconds.
He walked up to her silently.
His mature, crisp, masculine scent filled her lungs with her every breath.
Mary sensed that something was strange in the atmosphere.
Max’s lips were pursed and his eyes were dark.
Silently, standing at half a head above her, he enveloped her in his scent.
She wondered what madness he was going to unleash this time.
She just wanted to dispel the tense atmosphere between them.
Max’s hand suddenly reached for her slender waist.
Mary’s feet instinctively took a step back.
In her heels, she tripped over the coffee table, and as she lost her balance, her body leaned back and threatened to fall over.
Max’s hand quickly shifted from where it had been, and clasped over her slender waist firmly. In one swift motion, he then brought her into his arms.
Mary’s soft flesh and Max’s masculine chest pressed against each other.
Sparks collided between them.
Mary raised her head to look at him, and just as she called out, “Max…” he suddenly held the back of her head.
He bent over, and kissed her hard on the mouth.
As her mind blanked, the man’s long, slender hand lingered around the hem of her dress….